The noise could not be locked outside
It went into his head
An angry voice, a fearful cry
He heard all that was said
He knew that soon he’d hear the sound
Of a hand upon a face
Then his turn would come around
To be put back n his place

His father gone, his mother tired
He roamed the streets all day
He never joined the simple games
That other children played
At school he fought with everyone
Just because he could
His teachers said he’d never learn
He wasn’t any good.

What good could happen was going to happen
In a dark Street that night
When the beer was talking to him and
His fists were clenched to fight
In his pocket was the blade
He’d bought when full of hate
We waved it at another man
And that’s what sealed his fate

Thanks
Glad you liked it, Andrew - and appreciate the comparison to Dire Straits. I did try to get a "rolling along" feel that is common in their work. Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment!

The boy may be angry...
...but you have one very pleased listener here Philip. This is first-class and professional as it could be. Love the vibes on this song, that beat, and the fine vocal and musicianship by you and Mr. Paxinos. I'm always impressed and rewarded listening to your work, whether alone or with one of the good musicians you collaborate with Philip--thanks again! Michael

Thank you
I appreciate enormously your supportive comments, Michael. I'm certainly enjoying the opportunities MacJams provides to collaborate and to share. Thanks again for listening and taking the time to comment.

Angry Boy
I love the development of the character during the song. I think about schoolmates of mine sometimes and wonder whatever happened with their rage. The Dire Straights comparison hit home and Irish sort of storytelling and maybe non-standard song construction (if there is such a thing anymore) carry it so nicely. I enjoyed it a lot.

This is more folk at present
Than what I would call rock Phil. Good storytelling! Nice performances! I think I'd have the vocals up on top a little more. Hearing what you are saying is important. You are telling a story. In this mix the band is competeting with the vocal just a tad (volume). Very well played!

Thanks
I appreciate the careful listening, Freddy! The categories part is something I've never really sure about - I've compromised and changed it to Folk-Rock! Your comment on the level of the vocals is interesting. This one I just did myself, and I think I probably should have let a few others listen with a critical ear before I posted - sometimes I get so used to the mix (and of course know everything in it so well) that I don't hear the balance the way others do. Re the harmonies, I get mixed reviews on that. Some prefer my songs without, some with. I'll put some in the next song and see how they go! Hope all is well with you and yours! All the best. Phil.

Vocal in the mix
Thanks, Richard. Just had another listen and can hear what you and Fred mean - I think I have the voice as just another instrument sitting in the mix, and it could stand out bit more. I appreciate the comments on the guitar - the lead lines are played on the Gibson Howard Roberts which has jazzy sort of tone that I think suits the style of the song (although I like to think it's a song that could be done with a harder edge, too). Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment.

Nice one...
Nice one, Philip. Flows along very nicely and your fine, understated vocals counterpoint the sad story that unfolds. I like the tasty guitar lines that follow each chorus. I'm sure you would not have said that the boy could never learn with you as his teacher :-) John's keyboards add some nice depth to the mix. Talk soon, Peter.

Thanks
How did the fishing go? Good time had by all? Glad you like the guitar bits after the verses - I was happy with them. No doubt had he been in my class he'd have changed completely grown up to be something special :-) although I have to admit that if a kid doesn't turn up to school much and when they're there they cause trouble, it tests even my patience... See you soon!

Thanks
Glad you liked it, Dennis. I guess it has a bit of Dire Straits in it - now I just need to get my guitar playing up to where Mark Knopfler is and I'm set! Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment.

So very real.
My wife's life work is with children like Angry Boy fortunately she has made a difference and helped more than a few change their lives. One key element she focused on was the initiation of dialogue with the parents as much as she could. This song also makes that inner dialogue possible. Such humanism.. Thank you so very much..

Dialogue
Yes, it's hard to believe that angry and difficult is anyone's preferred lifestyle, and talking it through is necessary, although often difficult to manage. Good luck to your wife in her involvement - it's important work!

Oof...
What a troublesome tale, so well told and played. Reminds me a bit of Al Stewart (whom I loved). Let's all try to give our boys hope and love and guidance. Excellent writing and playing, as usual.

Angry Boy
Really like the Lyrics and your vocals Philip. Some harmonies in the chorus would be nice.Well played music. The minor key sets a nice feel for your fine guitar playing and the organ sits well in the mix. Good simple choice of drums that fit the style of song perfectly. Good solid songwriting.
SG

Thanks
Glad you liked it Stan. I think the minor key works - perhaps I should admit that the chord progression that goes through the verse is pretty much from House of the Rising Sun - a tune printed in my musical DNA from the time the Animals made it a hit. So when I sit down to play something, a version of that often comes out... Thanks for listening - I always value your opinion.

mad man
I like the wistful tone, guitar playing I would also call Knopfleresque and a real treat to listen to. Great guitar tone too. I don't really think the song is missing anything to be honest. Good lyrics too, thanks for posting!

Thanks
Well, Knopfler is a hero of mine, and I guess that "tell a story" style that he did so well is an influence (although so is Dylan, who I think is the best of all story tellers). Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment.

Enjoyed this one
Hi Philip, this was a very enjoyable ride. The progression is classic and easy to like. The intervening guitars is very well performed and stitch together the parts of the song. I also find your vocals very good and suited for this style.

I notice the drums to be apple loops and what, if something, I could think could benefit from a little more attention in the production.

Drums have to me to been an everlasting search for a good tool that sounds like they're played with the band, and not a replacement for a metronome or click track, which I sometimes feel such loops can give an impression of... My search so far has brought me to beta monkey (betamonkeymusic.com) and their stuff. Easy to work with, and usually they have several versions of fills and alternative rhythm patterns for each bundle.

Thanks
I appreciate the detailed comments, Thor. Re the drums, I heard a Lucy Kaplansky song called One Good Reason from her Ten Year Night CD. It had that simple driving beat that I wanted behind this tune. So that basic beat I wrote with the keyboard. I then grabbed whatever fills I thought helped. Sometimes I like just to play around, although for some tunes I ask a real drummer to help out! Just had a quick look at the site you mentioned - looks interesting and I'll explore it further. Thanks for the thoughtful feedback!

Thanks
Glad you liked it, Graham. Certainly was my intention to make the story the focus of the whole thing, and I'm glad that you liked the development of it. Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment!

Played folk guitar then learnt jazz guitar in the 70s. Worked in folk joints, then pubs, restaurants and reception centres in bands, duos or solo.
Now enjoying the opportunities that the digital age supplies to write and record.... [see more]

Folk-rock is a musical genre, combining elements of folk music and rock music.
In the original and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and Canada around the mid-1960s. The sound was epitomized by tight vocal